A state lawmaker criticized a state lawmaker for giving little notice on a reading to those who would get most affected if the proposal is passed. On Thursday, Kansas advocates for transgender rights spoke out against Republicans’ latest attempt to restrict access to gender-affirming care.
Transgender Kansans had two weeks to compile their legislative witness. The location of the gathering was changed, which made it harder for anyone who wanted to overturn a number of largely out-of-state anti-transgender lobbyists.
Activists were just informed on Tuesday that they would be permitted to speak at the gathering alongside a lineup of opponents after complaining about the lack of transparency.
Glossy Riffel, a transgender girl and activist who worked within the tight deadline to make her testimony, said, “It’s an intentional effort to ensure people are confused.
Sen. Beverly Gossage, a Republican from Eudora who chairs the Senate’s Public Health and Welfare council, held a briefing on the so-called “forbidding mistreatment child transitions act,” a piece of house legislation expected to be heard in council for the first time on Thursday afternoon.
Health care institutions, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, claim that outlawing gender-affirming treatment for transgender minors is harmful and lacks scientific support.
Senator Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, objected to the strange approach. Following the passage of the policy, bills are usually passed from one chamber to another.
“I’m disappointed that we’re using our valuable committee time to hold an informational hearing on a bill that hasn’t even been introduced in the Senate,” Pettey said. “We may use our committee time to address some more crucial issues, such as the Medicaid expansion. I’m opposed to using our precious moment in this way.”
Gossage contends that no one in the state government has a message for the country’s transgender children. Transgender Kansans and health experts have cautioned against providing gender-affirming treatment to children under 18 because, in her mind, it is all about protecting the children.
Democratic Governor Laura Kelly vetoed legislation that effectively forbids gender-affirming treatment for Kansans under the age of 18. A filibuster bypass attempt failed during the most recent legislative session.
Gossage said, “My issue is always going to be for the children.” “Let me just say that I know of no one who voted in favor of this bill last month who targeted the transgender community. Simply put, we believe that when you’re an adult, you can make any choice you like. You have the right to present yourself any manner you like, that’s your right. But, someone needs to keep the kids safe.”
The policy, which is encapsulated as House Bill 2791, may prohibit any firm that receives state funding from recommending gender-affirming treatment for trans Kansans under the age of 18 from doing so. Under different circumstances, the state’s medical assistance program may be prohibited from providing coverage for gender-affirming care for these adolescents.
When asked about the bill’s coming, Gossage said, “There are so many possible ways. “This was just an informational lecture, and it’s still up for interpretation.”
Family of a transgender child, Cat Poland, shared the injury her son’s child experienced before he started receiving gender-affirming care, fleeing from suicidal thoughts of self-harm.
The forbidding aggressive baby transitions act, in Poland’s opinion, “breaks my heart,” Poland said. “I’m not a great family, but I’m definitely not an aggressive one.” When I inquired about this bill with my brother, he responded that it would have been aggressive not to assist me.
Teenagers who are transgender experience a higher risk of suicide. In a 2023 investigation, the Trevor Project found that roughly half of the transgender and nonbinary children surveyed had really considered suicide. More than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ children are considered death every year in the U.S. Legislators in red states continue to remove protections for trans people despite increased challenges.
Numerous trans Kansans have repeatedly warned lawmakers about the value of gender-affirming care and warned against repeated attempts to restrain the state’s trans community. Right outside of the commission windows, transgender flags and signs were set with transgender flags and signs.
After listing the names of those killed because of LGBT hate in her testimony, Riffel offered one more information to legislators who support anti-transgender policy: “In the future, please understand that their blood is on your hands.”
